Instep protector



March 14, 1933. A. LARACK INSTEP EIROTECTOR Filed May 11, 1951 INV ENTOR Fran/r. A Lam Patented I Mar. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES FRANK A. LARACK, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

INSTEP PROTECTOR Application filed May 11,

This invention relates to improvements in instep protectors.

Its object is to provide a simple, inexpensive device which may be easily applied, to protect that part of the foot over which the instep band of a shoe passes. This part of a shoe, especially one which is cut low and with high heels, often irritates and injures the foot of the wearer. It is desirable to have this part of the shoe fit the foot snugly and it is diliicult to stretch its instep band if it is too tight. My device is arranged to protect the instep of the foot from becoming sore and to enable one to wear shoes with comfort even if the instep has become tender.

I will describe the invention in the following specification and point out its novel features in claims.

Referring to the drawing,

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a foot with one of my instep protectors thereon, together with the outline of a high heeled, low cut shoe shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of an instep protector which embodies my invention;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a pad which may form a part of the protector shown in the preceding figures; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional side elevation of a part of the device shown in Fig. 2, together with the pad which is shown in Fig. 3. The section of this figure is taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The device comprises an endless band of elastic material, such as rubber, preferably of flesh color. The part thereof which goes over the instep is designated by 10, and is considerably wider than the strap 11 which goes under the foot. 12 is another piece of the same material overlying the widened part and vulcanized or otherwise secured to it around its edges, as shown at 13. This forms a pocket for receiving and retaining a pad of soft textile material which, if de-. sired, may be medicated. This is particularly desirable when the device is used to protect a part of'the foot which has become sore or irritated.

The device is to be placed on the foot, as

shown in Fig. 1 for example, with its wid- 1931- Serial N0. 536,425.

ened part under the edge of the instep band of the shoe. It can, of course, be positioned diiferently to protect whatever part of the foot that may be desired. It may be used g either with or. without the pad 20 and as it is flesh colored and worn under the hosiery, it is not noticeable t0 the eye. Its size may be .made to suit requirements, but as it is very elastic, a few sizes only are needed to suit all cases. While the device is claimed as an 69 elastic band, it is to be understood that the elasticity desired does not extend necessarily throughout its length.

Having described j my invention, what I claim is 1 1. A continuous fiat elastic band adapted to surround the foot comprising a widened portion arranged to overlie the intsep of the foot to cover the part thereof. which underlies the instep band of a low cut shoe and a 70 single narrow portion arranged to pass under the foot, a layer of similar material over the widened portion of the band withits edges aiiixed thereto, the central portion of said layer being cut away to form an elongated pocket. 7

2. A continuous fiat elastic band adapted to surround the foot comprising a widened portion arranged to overlie the instep of the foot to cover the part thereof which underlies the instep band of a low cut shoe and a single narrow portion arranged to pass under the foot, a layer of similar material over the widened portion of the band with its edges aflixed thereto, the central portion of'said layer be-' ing cut away to form an elongated pocket combined with a pad out to fit said pocket and arranged to be retained by the pocket over the widened portion of the band.

FRANK A. LARACK. 

